Monday, February 18, 2013

Card of the Week: 2012 Topps Phillies Team Set Jim Thome

Hello! One new feature that I would like to start around here is to do a card of the week post every Monday. The inaugural post will feature this 2012 Topps Team Set Jim Thome. After a remarkable stint for the Phils from 2003-2005 in which Thome hit 96 home runs, the Phils signed Jim to a 1-year deal in November of 2011. One issue the 2011 incarnation of the Phillies had was bench offense, and Gentleman Jim had blasted 15 homers in a bench/DH role for the Twins and Indians in the previous season. Thome's return to Philly was an anticipated event, as "Welcome Back, Jim!" posters were given away at the second game of the Phillies On Deck series against the Pirates. However, Thome faltered in his return, hitting just .242 with 5 homers and striking out nearly a third of the time. This prompted a trade to the postseason-bound Orioles in which the Phightin's aquired top catching prospect Gabriel Lino and pitcher Kyle Simon.

This card, from the Phillies team set, depicts Thome playing first base. The picture must be from Mighty Jim's previous run with the Phillies, as he played next to no first his second time around. If you remember, Thome was traded to the White Sox to make room for a young slugger named Ryan Howard.
See ya,
Josh